The Water Framework Directive requires Member States to manage the effects on the ecological quality of water which result from changes to the physical characteristics of water bodies. It requires action in those cases where these “hydromorphological” pressures are having an ecological impact which will interfere with our ability to achieve Water Framework Directive objectives.
This consultation looks at the range of legislative, economic and voluntary mechanisms that are available in England and Wales for delivering measures to avoid or reduce effects resulting from hydromorphological pressures, and at whether they are sufficient to meet Water Framework Directive requirements.